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Windmill Farms

Grain & Garden

 

Homemade Farmers Market Jam & Salsa

Sold each Saturday at the Ogden UT Farmers Market from 8-1pm July – Sept

5 Varieties of Fruit Salsa, Specialty Salsa and Jam like Grandma makes!

Real Fruit, Cane Sugar, No Corn Syrup, No Fillers

 We now have Wild Chokecherry Jelly & Huckleberry Jam!

(Click here for our products & price list)

Jed,

“Thank you so much for coming down and making a salsa drop.  When I went over to pick up the goods, I opened a jar of the medium corn salsa.  Amanda, the gal who picked it up from you, dipped a chip and took a bite. She closed her eyes and did not say a thing for the longest time. I got concerned that she did not like it, so I asked.  She turned as if startled, and said "That is the best thing ever." She ate almost the whole jar in less than a half hour.

We will be ordering again and sharing the wealth with others.”

All the best,
Melissa

 

Contact: Jed Packer 435-770-1276 or e-mail me at: windmillfarmsgg@hotmail.com

&

Outstanding Field Golden Retrievers

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“Best friends aren't born; they're made one great memory at a time.”

 

~See the following information below~

My Dogs

Photo Gallery

Puppy Owners Updated

Litter Information Updated

Tribute to Clarissa

OFA, CERF & PRA Health Clearances

 

Training%20Grounds

Providence UT Training Grounds – Cache Valley Utah – Bridgerland

 

Cache County, located in the northern part of the state, is bordered by the Wasatch Mountains on the east and a spur of the Wasatch, the Wellsville Mountains, on the west. The Bear River flows through the northwestern corner of the county where the Little Bear, Blacksmith Fork, and Logan rivers add their waters to it. Cache County was formed in 1856 by the territorial legislature and its boundaries were redefined in 1864 when part of Cache became Richland (Rich) County.”

Northern Utah was part of the Plains Culture area and, later, Shoshoni territory. Between 1824 and 1855 Cache Valley was repeatedly visited by trappers and explorers. Among the early trappers in the area were James Weber and Jim Bridger in 1824 and Peter Skene Ogden and James Beckwourth in 1825. This Valley became an important rendezvous and resort for fur traders.  James Bridger was one of the greatest frontiersmen of Utah and American history. During his lifetime he was a hunter, trapper, trader, and guide, and one of only a few trappers to remain in the Rockies after the demise of the fur trade.” http://historytogo.utah.gov


BRP8041

Lady Sheila of WM Farms

http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=214413

http://www.offa.org/results.html?all=SR28455001&x=11&y=1

 

Name:

Lady Sheila of WM Farms

Sire: SR08543608

 

 

Registration:

AKC Golden Retriever

Dam: SR13639603

 

 

Sex:

Female

 

 

 

Color:

Medium Golden

 

 

 

Birthdate:

August 20, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFA Number

Registry

Test/Film Date

Report Date

Age

Final Conclusion

GR-31282

CERF

September 12, 2007

September 12, 2007

25

Tested 06,07

GR-93638G24F-PI

HIPS

August 24, 2007

September 19, 2007

24

GOOD

GR-EL16457F24-PI

ELBOW

August 24, 2007

September 19, 2007

24

NORMAL

 
Test Performed: prcd Mutation Test for PRA
Optigen Accession #: 08-686 February 4, 2008
Sample Type: Blood

Test Results: Genotype of Sheila is Normal/Clear.

Risk for developing prcd-PRA: This dog will NEVER develop the prcd form of PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy).  Note that PRA in Golden Retrievers appears to consist of at least two different genetic defects. Neither of which are found in Sheila.

Significance for breeding: Genetically Normal/Clear dogs can be bred to any dog and will produce no pups affected with the prcd form of PRA. Percentage wise, Sheila is one of the very few breeding females in North America today that has been proactively tested for this genetic eye disease. 

Natural Upland Game Hunter

Training Emphases – Pheasant, Mt. Grouse, Hunt Test, Obedience, Frisbee

Owner/Trainer: Jed Packer/Steve Shaver

 

Sheila:  A western breed upland hunter! From a healthy litter of 11, she’s a retrieving machine with confidence on land and especially in water. A strong family trait evidenced in her progeny. Sheila possesses what we think is a main component in the hunter’s dog, cooperative behavior. This makes working with her in the field an absolute pleasure. She’s not an independent, “my way”; raise the blood pressure kind of dog. She’s a natural working dog with heart and natural inborn instincts. She’s a good looking medium colored girl with good bone.  She’s 23” tall weighing in at 65 pounds. She’s lightly feathered; flat coated and grows a tremendous down layer in the winter which has proven out on our snowshoe overnighters. She has really nice angulation blending front and rear actions for a smooth, graceful and sure footed gait. She is eager to please, intelligent, a powerful swimmer, with a high endurance, excellent nose, cold weather proven and very trainable.  Our extended family owns and farms several hundred acres in Northern Utah. As a result, Sheila’s passion is hunting pheasants around the Bear River and grouse in the Wasatch Mountains. She is amateur trained and handled.  Very fast on downed birds and very disappointed if we miss. Besides her regular upland game hunting, we are currently working her into the Hunt Trials. Currently training at the SH level with water, land, blind, double retrieves, pick up on command and delivers to hand. I am currently working her to piles using hand and whistle commands. I have also worked her at Field Trial distances. The last couple of years, Sheila has been a regular visitor to our daughters elementary school who passed away in May 2008. While there, my 9 year old confidently demonstrated Sheila’s obedience and tricks in front of her classmates. Afterwards, Sheila always enjoys a good mauling by the children. With a nice ON/OFF switch, she exhibits her all purpose attitude as she spends time playing in the backyard with our 4 children or curled up on her pillow for an evening with the family.

 

For health history, I’ve completed most lines back many generations. Some ancestral lines have been completed all the way to the early 1900 original Lord Tweedmouth dogs. Notable family members  include: FC-AFC Mioak's Smokin Zeke, Am./Can./Aust. CH. Ranchosierra El Chicco, FC/AFC Sungold Lad's Talisman 0S/FDHF and many other excellent dogs. She is not a line breed dog. Her COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding = 0%)  We concentrate on positive field training methods using e-collar reinforcement.  She’s proven herself as a valuable hunter and wonderful family companion.


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Ruby’s Prairie Sunrise of WM Farms

http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=283842

Owner/Trainer: Jed Packer/Steve Shaver

 

An eastern breed field trial daughter of Red River Ruckus. Red is one of a handful of golden’s invited to nationals last year. A chip of the old block, Ruby is a very athletic and the fastest dog I’ve owned. She trains well and has enough go-juice for a whole pack. She had a great fall pheasant hunt bagging a winged rooster her 1st try. With her signature dark red coat, jet black pigment, focus and happy demeanor, 1 1/2 year old Ruby is doing great. I am working with her on all the basics.  She is currently training between the JH & SH levels. She is birdy, a good marker and flat out fast! She absolutely loves the water and has a great entry. She’s a lot of dog and YES there’s a distinct difference between Eastern and Western breed dogs. I know, I have one of each and enjoy some of the attributes they each posses. I’m dedicating this wonderful dog to my daughter Clarissa.

Ruby’s Sire: NDC NMFR RockErin Red River Ruckus ***

http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=125212

Red is a very handsome, dark golden with a powerful, athletic physic. He has a terrific water attitude and wonderful golden temperament. He is field trial golden that is currently enjoying a lot of success. Red ran his 1st derby in 04’ at 16 months placing 3rd. Since then his career has really taken off. Red took 1st at Tulsa Retriever Club & Texas Panhandle Retriever club in 05’. At the end of 05’ Red had accumulated 51 points making him the high point Derby dog for the year and also the highest pointed dog ever in NFRA history. He became the 2005 National Master Champion with 6 Masters Passes which qualified him for the Master National. He won the Master National (10 Series) in November 05’ and received the NMFR National Master Champion Title.  In 07’ they placed 1st in the Colorado Women’s Retriever Club Qualifier handled by his owner Judi Carter.  All Health Clearances.

 


Tribute to Clarissa

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We found out on Clarissa’s 10th birthday just before Christmas 07’ that she has a stage 3 astrocytoma located in the center of her brain. Clarissa passed away 5 months later on May 23, 2008. We traveled 90 miles to Salt Lake City for 42 days of intense chemo and radiation without success. She amazed everyone with her courage, kindness and never once complained. It is an honor to be called her father as I learned more from her than she can ever imagine. We wish to thank everyone especially friends, family, employers and neighbors for your thoughts, prayers and kind acts. We also wish to thank the individuals and organizations of: Primary Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Macey’s, Associated Foods and Providence Elementary. Your acts of help and kindness have changed our lives for good. Clarissa loved golden retrievers and especially puppies. In her lifetime she loved, kissed and held all the puppies from both Sheila’s litters. Consider them kissed by an angel! Like me, Clarissa loved to be outside. She loved to walk in the fields with Sheila, Ruby and me. She loved to garden and sell her home grown lettuce and our Jam & salsa at our local farmers markets. She is sorely missed and often thought of. A tribute to my daughter: My Sweet Clarissa

 

June 09 Update:  Thanks to Mrs. Anderson and a host of others including Providence Elementary, Clarissa’s memory has been captured by her wonderful 5th grade school teacher! Through generous donations and Mrs. Anderson’s procurement of a grant, Providence Elementary has created and dedicated a wonderful outdoor classroom in behalf of Clarissa named “Clarissa’s Classroom”. Dedicated to our children that have fought and suffered from cancer.  The new outdoor classroom includes a human sundial, discovery center, lots of beautiful plants and of course a garden center. 

 

In addition to this, we’ve recently been informed that Providence City has created and named a new soccer field after Clarissa. The area includes a children’s park, soccer field and walking loop.  As a parent the loss is tremendous, but having kind people memorialize our daughter’s life is both healing and humbling. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you!

 


 

November 2008 Northern Utah Pheasant Hunt Report

Wow, what another great year for birds in Northern UT.  Opening day gave us a lot of action and my freezer has plenty of game bird!  4 week pregnant Sheila was not going to stay home. In fact, she hunted the bulrush with as much vigor as I’ve seen. 11 month old Ruby nailed her 1st rooster. The training and instinct is paying off as she learns the ropes of hard pheasant hunting in the slough. We spent some or our time in what we call the slough.  It’s a 50 acre piece with an assortment of vegetation including dense cattails, swamp grass and chest high bulrush. It’s a modern day paradise for a pheasant that requires a determined dog and hunter alike. Three of us pushed through the center while 2 other family members shadowed the outside of a U shaped depression surrounded by cut corn and hay fields. We also found a lot of success in a public basin near the Bear River. I often hear from other hunters that their just aren’t any more birds in Utah. I always smile when I hear that because knowing where to go and having good hunting dogs makes a big difference. Sheila and Ruby joined forces with Gus (Yellow Lab) and Sadie (German Shorthair.) The dogs hunted hard and impressed all. Our flushers and pointers work well together as we enjoyed a very successful and safe hunt.  Traversing through dense and rough terrain is exhausting for the dogs. Their eyes, nose and feet take a real beating and often get scratched and poked. It takes a determined dog to get in and really hunt these areas. Ruby is learning and I will take her to a hunt club to reinforce what she gained from this falls’ experience.I’m very pleased that I’m getting such great drive and desire from my 2 females that enjoy jogging with my wife, playing with my 6 year old son or training in a nearby field.  I couldn’t be more pleased with their versatility and attitude. I must thank my In-laws & brother-in-Laws. They’re great company and I get a stack of hot waffles from my mother-in-law!

 

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Philosophy:

The success of our future Golden Retriever populations falls squarely on the quality of the sires and dams used with each new generation.  Their degree of excellence is expressed in the earned titles, field work, conformation, attitude and health. The history of the Golden Retriever began around the early 1900’s in Scotland, with the original intent of developing the perfect hunting dog for both sport and sustenance. With meticulous record keeping a handful of people like Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, a British aristocrat, who later became the first Lord Tweedmouth, from Brook House, Park Lane, London dedicated their lives in the development of this breed. While careless & rampant breeding happen in earnest today, there a many breeders that continue the original intent while adding sporting breed qualities. Powerful, active dogs, that are structurally sound and well balanced. Golden Retrievers possess a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident. Any breeder becomes a steward & contributor to the outcome this wonderful breed. As such, methodical consideration should be given to each new life. According to the AKC the Golden Retriever is a Sporting Breed. They love to work with a “Give me a job” attitude. Sure, Goldens make great family members, their great with kids and are highly trainable. Because of their versatility, many people are proving how much more they can become. Goldens are excelling in agility trials, as impairment companions, rescue dogs, hunt trials and field tests. We keep these goals in mind with any new litter.  Besides all this, they love to hunt. The opportunity for most folks to hunt, train or prove this fine breed is diminishing or difficult logistically.  Today’s Hunt, Agility and Field test programs offer a wonderful option and are set up to prove dog & owner capabilities. Fortunately, we have family members that own or have access to 100’s of acres of prime farmland in Northern UT. It’s where the rubber hits the roads for us as find to out what kind sporting bred dogs we really have. We hunt and train on wild birds in all kinds of terrain. Young dogs are trained at bird ranches giving them confidence with each success. Obedience and desire are a must. Wanting the best multi-purpose Golden Retrievers means breeding to the highest quality field and obedience studs available. Our goal with each litter is to produce golden retrievers with desire, trainability and easy to live with temperaments. We look for dogs with classic field bred conformation & drive. Meaning, pups will have good bone alignment, deep chests, agile, go all day, athletic bodies. Good health is of utmost importance to us therefore; both parents will have their health clearances. Best of all, regardless of how you use them; they’ll be wonderful members of your family. Puppies will be well socialized and include a puppy pack with pedigrees and other helpful information. They will be vet checked, dewclaws removed, wormed and vaccinated. The Golden's desire to please is legendary-making them a top obedience competitor and first-rate companion. 

 

Retrieving desire: Dogs have different degrees of interest in retrieving. Greater the drive, then the greater the chance of overall success in training and competitive performance. One can have pulsating drive but if paired with a lack of intelligence or a low degree of tractability, then the dog will probably not be successful.

 

Intelligence: Dogs, like people, have different levels of intelligence. The smarter dog progresses more quickly in training and also retains more than one who has a lesser degree of native intelligence.

 

Tractability: This is a very important characteristic of the elite retriever. The ideal dog should be easy to control and be malleable. The opposite of tractability is stubbornness and a dog that is prone to be dishonest and purposefully look for ways to defy the instructions of the handler.

To make this happen, you MUST spend the time with them!

Litter Information

2009 Litter has been placed.

2010 Plans will consist of Ruby and a son from the Sheila (I own) X Opie litter that is working on multiple titles including SH, tracking and obedience. More to come but we are looking at multiple generations of talented upland along with the grandfathers of Flyway’s October Pardner MH*** WCX (See below) and NDC NMFR RockErin Red River Ruckus ***. Integrating these 2 lines along with the known upland talent through Sheila’s line will equate to some fine pups!

Puppy Owners Page

Opie X Shiela Litter 2007:  To Darrell and family.  We are very sorry and saddened to hear about the loss of Hickory.  Hickory was killed spring 08’ in a farming accident at his ranch in Nevada.  Our sincere condolences to you and your family.

Hickory.jpg

 

The Sharp family contacted me weeks before our last Sheila X Jake litter.  They described what they wanted and I told them what our plans were.  A lot of talk and discussion went into the process but as you can tell from the picture and the comments, they’re a very happy family.  I haven’t seen all the pictures from the Jake x Sheila litter but it sounds like we have drive and beauty!  Lilly is a real looker!

“Hi Jed,

I just wanted to share some new developments about Lilly. She is getting so big, 40+ lbs and still the biggest cuddle bug. I have never seen a dog who likes to be cuddled so much! She is learning more everyday. Right now with the heat in the high 90's low 100's her favorite thing to do is swim in the pool. If she is hot and no one is in the pool she sits and cries at the gate. Whenever we let her into the pool area she just jumps in. The kids taught her to dive off the diving board (2ft off the water) and now she does it just for fun. She cries pitifully if the kids try to swim without her. She LOVES to retrieve from the water. She will bring anything you throw and if you won’t play with her she will throw her own ball in and go after it!! She loves to bury her head under the water and get her toys. The last few days she has decided to "save" us and she will grab our hand from under the water, wrap her front paws around our forearm and swim/drag us to the steps. She is so gentle the whole time too. She is so cute! She looks so much like Sheila, so beautiful!! We love her so much!”

Hope all is well with you and your family,

Take care,

Sharp Family

Lilly.jpg

Colleen from California contacted me looking for a SAR Search & Rescue dog from the Sheila & Push litter.  She described what she was looking for in behavior, drive and sociality. I was pretty confident in the litter but I have to admit in the back of my mind I was keeping my fingers crossed. When Colleen arrived at our house I handed her a nice female and told her that I believe this is the one for her. She took the puppy into our garage and ran Maddie through a series of tests used to exploit disposition and the behavior necessary to aid in her success as a SAR dog.  Maddie passed with high marks; Colleen smiled and said “We’ll Take Her!”

“Hi Jed,

Maddie has moved right in and taken control. She is just a lovely, smart, little girl, but a goofball! This picture is from her first training day at Search and Rescue 3/29/08. At this age the trainers play age appropriate games with her to socialize her with other trainers, and we encourage her to clamber over all the stuff in the disaster zone. She gets to follow around the big dogs when they are doing ground search problems - Socializing her to other dogs of various ages and introducing her to the trained behaviors. Her breeding shows she loves to run and dive into the water and swim just for the fun of it. Getting her not to, is the challenge. Maddie is about 60 lbs and the Vet says she is one of the most perfect goldens she's ever seen. We will be resuming advanced obedience training this week, and if that goes well resume SAR training in December or January. But I can already tell from working with her myself, she is much better at focusing her attention. Regardless of whether she becomes successful at SAR, she has stolen our hearts and my husband just adores her. She is spoiled of course. She sleeps at the end of our bed which I never thought my husband would ever think of allowing before we got her.”

Maddie3maddie.jpg

Ann & Grant contacted me from NM where they raise and train horses on a beautiful ranch. They were looking for an all purpose Golden that would fit into their active lifestyle. The Push X Sheila litter caught their eye and we are very happy it did. It looks like Heidi has a wonderful family in a beautiful part or the country. 
 

“Hi Jed,

Everything is going great!  Heidi has grown so much.  She is undoubtedly the most athletic puppy we have ever had.  We love her temperament.  Just a sweetheart!  She is very eager to learn and has some of the basic commands down - which is amazing because she is still so young.  She's been great with the horses and other animals.  I have attached a couple of pictures that capture her spirit and her beauty.

 

We could not have done any better. 

Thanks!

Ann and Grant”

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Once in a while something happens in life that brings a person back to earth. In the race to raise and train great multi-purpose goldens sometimes the human touch gets lost in all of it.  This was case between a very special girl and her very special golden retriever.  Several months ago Marta called me from Washington State.  She told me that her 13 year old daughter had found my website and really, really wanted a puppy from the Opie litter.  She’d looked at several sites but told her mother that there was a female in that litter especially for her.  At first, I smiled and figured it was the sweet dream of a 13 year old girl.  Miquela (Mekayla) insisted, had been saving for some time and sent in a deposit.  She told me her name would be Kola.  A Native American name that means friend. Miquela and her father drove to Utah from Washington when Kola turned 8 weeks old to pick her up.  Here’s the rest of the story. Meanwhile, I was unaware that my 9 year old daughter Clarissa had fallen in love with Kola.  She played with her everyday.  Because of the demeanor of Kola I decided she’d be the right one for Miquela. Clarissa happened to be there when Miquela, her father and brother arrived. I asked Clarissa to go get the puppy we’d chosen for Miquela. When she handed Kola over to Miquela, Clarissa ran inside.  After they left, I came inside to see where Clarissa had run off to. My wife motioned to her room and explained what had been going on the last several weeks.  I tried to explain to saddest 9 year old in town that we have a nice dog and that Miquela needed a nice dog too. As a father, this was one of those tough ones.  Recently, Marta sent me and e-mail and a picture.  It’s extremely heart-warming and worth sharing.

“Dear Jed,

When she first came to your place in August, I was on business travel so I called her and asked her what she thought of Kola at first sight and she said "She's perfect."  Ever since, Kola is known in our neighborhood as the luckiest dog on the planet.  She even wags her tail as she walks with Miquela.  After Miquela came to your place to pick up kola with her father and brother, they went on to Olympia Washington to Ashley Creek Farm which has been in my family for decades (www.ashleycreek.com).  Kola was able to run and play to her hearts delight.  The real heart that was delighted was Miquela's.  I've never seen a child so taken with an animal and I grew up with several.  If ever two souls were intended to meet it was Kola and Miquela. For the last 3 months Kola has enjoyed living in Naples California near the famous canals and a huge dog park where she has many friends.  Things are going very well, and she is now about 40 pounds of pure joy.”

 

Best Regards from a very happy parent, Marta.

Kola

 

Josh and Lisa of UT stopped by to pick out a replacement hearing impaired therapy dog. Unfortunately, they lost their lab to an accident. It was a bitter/sweet evening as they discussed what happened.   I quickly learned about the time and effort it takes to train a hearing impaired dog. They decided to spend the next several years with one of Sheila’s daughters. Good Choice! They needed an intelligent, strong natured dog that was willing to serve them for years to come. We are very excited for them as they’ve already begun their training. Here’s what they have to say about Akhila the oldest daughter and first born of the Opie litter.

“Hi Jed-

I wanted to send a cute picture from Akhila's birthday this year.  It was fun since she is pretty good about letting us put things on her now that she is training with the service dog vest.  We also took Akhila on her first plane ride to Seattle to visit Josh's family at the end of June.  She sat in the front seats of the plane with us and laid at our feet. She did extremely well throughout the whole airport / shuttle / rental car process with the large crowds and distractions aplenty!  Her ears perked when we took off the first time but the way home it was like she was an old pro.  She is getting more mature and loves to learn new things and is great at all the clicker training we do with her.  We tire her out with a lot of walks and Frisbee throwing too! She has also been swimming so much now that she swims the whole time and doesn't ever want to get out!  Utah Lake has a great place that is quiet and calm for dogs and people to swim and we've been there a couple times. We plan to keep working on service dog things for the next year and then start putting her through the therapy dog training.  She has a very gentle and perfect personality for also being a therapy dog. 

Best wishes to you and your family-

Josh and Lisa and Akhila”

Theropy dog.jpg

 

George and Shirley of ID, a retired couple, with a zest for life and love of golden retrievers made the long drive from Northern ID to meet Sheila and pick out their puppy, Sunny. A beautiful female with a medium golden coat. We had a wonderful visit and found out how much they really love their dogs! Here’s what they had to say after picking their puppy.

 

“Hi Jed, Thank you, thank you, and thank you.  We are loving our little puppy girl.  She is so smart. I can tell that she is going to be the best dog we have ever had. Jed, here are some recent pics of Sunny.  She has had real good exercise this winter, going cross country skiing with me and George also takes her out to run. She loves the snow. So she is very muscular and well filled out as you can see. Isn't she beautiful?”

 

sunny1

 

Andy & Shawna of ID attended a dog show in a nearby city during the spring 07’. They saw conformation, agility, obedience and rally competitions. They wanted to match the right breed to their situation. I was most impressed by how much homework they did. I’m even more impressed with how they are helping sweep develop. They came away convinced that a field bred golden was the right thing for them. In addition to being a family dog, Andy plans to hunt with his golden as seen below with Sweeps first duck hunt. As a full time police officer, Andy is considering putting Sweep through a drug dog training program.  Wow! This is very exciting news as we wish Andy, Shawna and Sweep all the best!

 

“Spring has finally come here and we can get Sweep out and about more.  He passed his beginning agility 4H class last week.  Today we had him out at the river retrieving.  He loves to fetch in the water and his focus was incredible.  This is the most unusual dog I have ever owned, and I mean that in the best way.  His desire to try things and learn is amazing and as to his retrieving... well let’s just say that if it is thrown he will bring it back, regardless. ”